Show all images on one page	#004956 Title: Music Artist: Poturaiko Larisa Size: 11x13.5.x4 Size (inches): 4.25x5.25x1.5 Price : $950 SOLD!

Larisa Poturayko is one of the Kholui's most gifted artists. Her style over the years has developed into a mature and precise blend of learned techniques and natural talent. Her hand has the steadiness of a surgeon's and her artistic decisions are made based on what is best for the painting within the context of the theme.
Here the artist has chosen to depict vagrant musicians, a girl and a boy. They play their musical instruments in the street in hope to receive coins for their music. To their disappointment the street is solitary; the people sit in their cozy houses and prepare to celebrate the Christmas. Their only listeners are doves, ravens, and dogs. But they continue to play and their charming tune inspires optimistic, festive mood in people who listen to it inside their houses and even in animals.
Yellow-brownish tones are used to paint the characters, while different shades of blue and green tones are used to paint the surrounding winter landscape. The use of gold and aluminum contouring within the scene is astounding. Hand painted poetry it is. From the characters' clothes to the background architecture, awe inspiring.
The scene is framed with a waving gold line. The edges of the lid are adorned with elaborate gold ornamentation highlighted with blue tempera paints. The similar ornamentation but a little bigger in size wraps around the box's sides.
The box is constructed from paper-mache. Black lacquer is used to paint the exterior of the piece while bright red lacquer completes the interior of the box. A hinge has been fastened to the top of the composition for ease of opening, and the box rests on a small platform. The artist has written the title ("Music"), Kholui, the confirmation that it is original artist's creation and her name on the interior of the lid in gold paint.